During my latest business trip, I was able to do one of my favorite things - visit local Hobby Shops. I don't always have some extra time, but this time I did. Some googling showed me that about 30 minutes away was a shop with pretty good reviews - Fred's Train Shop in Overland Park, Kansas.

The shop had a great selection (including some Piko TT ) and even though I model the NWP/SP, I was able to find a Cotton Belt Caboose that fit right in with my HO layout. I started talking with the owner, and it turned out that he was the one and only Fred Loosbrock of Mini-Things!!!

Fred said that while he has been busy with many projects, he is considering getting back into TT resin casting. Hopefully he will get some time and add to the meager items available in TT.

That's good news! Fred seemed like a good guy, but then he just kind of dropped out of sight. I know he was working on a TT gondola way back when, and his automobiles were the first TT ones in years when he released them. I hope he does get back into it!